Within the furniture industry, more and more companies today are conscious of their environmental footprint. Green products are attracting the attention of numerous manufacturers who are willing to invest time and money to obtain them.

We have a soft spot in our hearts for pre-loved furniture, or so it seems based on the responses to my last post. And the environmental benefits abound. So what do I do when I want to buy new? It’s an honest question. What do I look for, consider and where do I go?

I’ve never bought a brand new piece of furniture. I have pressed my face against shop windows of Canadian furniture boutiques, imagining a day when I would start to build a collection of pieces to make home homier.

Janette Ewen has been one of Canada’s leading décor and lifestyle experts for more than a decade, passing on her passion for design and fashion to avid fans through magazines, newspapers and television.